According to a well-placed industry source, the tracks that guide the top drive as it moves up and down the derrick are out of alignment. The source suggested that continued drilling could wear ...

In August, Pioneer Drilling Co. Ltd., San Antonio, mobilized the first of two new IRI 1700E series rigs built by National Oilwell Inc., Houston. Pioneer Drilling Co. Ltd.'s newly built rig No. 7 ...

Used to rotate the drill string during the drilling process, the top drive is a motor that is suspended from the derrick, or mast, of the rig. These power swivels boast at least 1,000 horsepower ...

Norwegian rig operator Smedvig's drillship West Navion could be out of action for another two weeks following the discovery of cracks in sheaves on the vessel's Ram Rig derrick. The drilling ...